The Woodsman Restaurant in Stratford-on-Avon

Excellent restaurant using the best fresh produce. Everything is thought about, from the taste to the service!

Don’t be fooled by their instagram

The place is beautiful the atmosphere inviting. When i asked for a little backgound of the food i was told to read the menu. Total status/ class oriented. Yhe servers talk about you right imfront of you

Restaurant just cancelled my reservation out of the blue, no human cared to reach out to provide an explanation or rebooking options. Poor service from what is supposed to be a great restaurant. Guess I'll never know, nor do I care to if this is how you treat your guests.

This place has gone down the hill a bit. Used to be my favourite restaurant in the UK and brought my family visiting for a nice modern British meal. Menu not inspiring any more, it’s pretty much a better looking pub food. Taste was also incredibly average or I’d say too rich - no balance. I’m sad because couple years ago I was wowed by the taste and the service.

Absolute treat, superb food beef tartar as a starter mouth watering good, shared a shoulder of venison with my son cooked to perfection tables nicely spaced out so your not cramped, staff very friendly and a pleasure to have them serve us, a great restaurant Mike R.

We had a lovely meal here. We have been a few times previously and have never been disappointed. Great food, good service and a lovely selection of wines. One of the places to eat.

We went to the Woodsman for our anniversary. Whilst the roast lamb was the best I’ve ever had, the meal was entirely forgettable. This is a testament to the lack of warmth and service in the restaurant. Our occasion was not acknowledged, dietary restrictions were forgotten and the maitre d’ was arrogant. Whilst some of the dishes were outstanding, many were not. Combined with the standard of service, I would be surprised if this restaurant attains the Michelin star that the chef seems to be aspiring to.

'Probably the best meal I've ever had." This is the comment my wife had,, which coming from her, a family of gourmets, means something! My daughter and I were also impressed, and we all had different courses and drinks. Starters, mains, deserts, cocktails, everything is the level above. It's not cheap but considering the amount of work that goes into making this sort of place work, from sourcing quality local ingredients to fine-tuning recipes you won't find elsewhere, and yet work beautifully, to giving the place a unique atmosphere, wow! it's incredible. The service was very pro too (although the reception was a bit abrupt initially, minor quibble). I was there on business a few years ago, so glad I went back with my family this year to find that, if anything, this address has gone from excellent to even better.

Awful experience! We visited in March for our anniversary and really enjoyed the meal, so my partner booked again for my birthday and the experience this time was like night and day. The food and service was terrible, the waitress was aggressive towards us, firstly disputing our choice of wine? Then the steak we were recommended came and appeared to be cooked in Coca-Cola and was so sweet it was inedible! We sent it back to the kitchen and asked it to be checked and the server Danny came back and confirmed it had been over marinated, so we asked for it to be removed from the bill, but it wasn't and instead we were offered a £20 discount even though we couldn't eat it. So all we could do was get up and leave, which was rather embarrassing considering it was meant to be my birthday celebration meal. Such a disappointing experience, and a place we never want to visit again! Cannot recommend at all...

Unfortunately we were hugely disappointed by our experience at this restaurant. The website and online menus suggest that this is fine dining, London standard food and service. However, we felt catfished! We reserved a table for 7pm and were kept waiting in a queue for over 15 minutes. The full menu isn't available on Sundays and the Sunday lunch menu continues in to the evening. The starters were ok, fine, good pub standard but not refined as the menu suggests. The main courses similar and a potato element of the fish main was inedible by all at our table. Puddings tiny. Over all is was ok...not awful but not anywhere I would go again for a special occasion. Disappointing as we had high hopes we had found a local gem.

Absolutely 10/10. We had the set menu which was far superior to Michelin-starred Salt round the corner (and cheaper!). I had two English wines which were wonderful. Would 100% recommend and will be going back asap.

Nice food ,but a bit pricey for what it is.

Amazing Sunday lunch. A little bit more expensive than your run of the mill Sunday lunch but well worth it. I'm looking forward to going back in the near future.

We booked the Woodsman for Sunday lunch following a recommendation for 4 of us. The food was absolutely fantastic and lived up to the reputation. However, the poor service let it down. The welcome from the point of arrival from the receptionist was cold, unfriendly and obnoxious. His attitude didn’t get any better throughout the service. We then waited 1.5 hours between starter and main course with no acknowledgement or recognition from any of the waiting team. We had to chase for an update and again no acknowledgement or apology or explanation for the delay. It is a shame as the food and environment were lovely but because of the poor service, we are unlikely to go back.

Was an OK place. Came here for some different meats and luckily we got the last roe. We were late 1730 so would have expected a few more items to choose from. Rest was OK, and little shout out to the duck liver, probs best thing minus the roe. One server brought the atmosphere down but maybe she was eager to get off work to watch the euro final that night

Had Sunday lunch today, food was 10/10 but the service was really slow. Had to wait almost 30 mins from sitting down for a drink and had to chase twice. Heard the table next to us also asking what had happened to their drinks. It wasn't overly busy, so not sure why everything was on a go slow. Pity as the food was delicious.

Not sure what more credit I can give this place, other than the food, service and place was excellent.. I hope my next visit will be just as good.. 👍🏾

An amazing restaurant in the heart of Stratford! We had the 7 course tasting menu and would definitely come back and try again. One course slightly let it down - we weren't convinced by the combination of lamb & anchovy and the lamb itself was rump so a bit fatty, but I suppose that is personal preference so not a reason to not return. The service was exceptional, could not fault the front of house one bit - very friendly, funny & attentive!

Beautiful food with fantastic service.

To the esteemed team at The Woodsman, Our recent dining experience at your establishment was nothing short of extraordinary. It was an enchanting journey through history, nature, and culinary artistry. Upon entering your Grade II-listed building, we were instantly transported back in time, surrounded by the rich heritage of a structure that has witnessed centuries of stories. The ambience was elegant and inviting, a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern comfort. The menu, a testament to your "field-to-fork" philosophy, showcased a symphony of flavours from the bountiful English countryside. My Pave & Rissole of Bathurst estate fallow deer was a revelation, the tender venison perfectly complemented by the rich, savoury rissole. My girlfriend's Black garlic glazed rump of spring lamb was equally exquisite, the succulent meat melting in her mouth with each bite. Each dish was a masterpiece, a testament to Mike Robinson's mastery of traditional British cooking techniques and his unwavering commitment to using the finest local ingredients. The flavours were bold, complex, harmonious, and balanced, a true reflection of the surrounding lands. Beyond the exceptional cuisine, the service was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the food and the restaurant's history. Their warm hospitality made us feel like cherished guests on a grand estate. The Woodsman is more than just a restaurant; it is an immersive experience celebrating the connection between food, history, and the natural world. It is a place where memories are made, and the past and present intertwine to create something truly magical. Thank you for sharing your passion and your culinary artistry with us. We will cherish the memory of our visit to The Woodsman for years to come. With heartfelt gratitude and admiration, Jan & Csaba

went for a birthday dinner - and the staff were lovely. I had the bream, and it was amazing - the majority of our table had the fallow deer and they all gave raving reviews. However, the favourite of the night was the bread and butter at the beginning! All the food was splendid (although the rhubarb dessert was to a specific taste as the pink pepper is a prominent flavour in the dessert). the staff were fabulous and the wine recommendation was perfect!

This may seem sentimental but the meal that my father and I had here really made a memory for us to share forevermore. You can’t put a price on that. Fantastic food and beautiful wine. Thank you.

This may seem sentimental but the meal that my father and I had here really made a memory for us to share forevermore. You can’t put a price on that. Fantastic food and beautiful wine. Thank you.

Made a special trip to Stratford inorder to visit The Woodsman for sunday lunch. Absolutely wonderful meal and really well looked after by thier staff. Many Thanks

This is without doubt one of the best restaurants my wife and I have ever been to. From the moment you're met at the desk when you walk in everything is fantastic. The staff are polite, professional and knowledgeable about the food on the menu. My wife had the crab crumpet to start which she said was amazing and it looked it, I had the sweetbread which was tasty and so flavorful, main course my wife had the pork which she said was the best plate of food she ever had, I had the deer which was cooked perfectly and and melted in the mouth the dirty mash was out of this world.We didn't have desert as we were so full. Overall this restaurant is amazing with superb staff and excellent cooking.

Oh dear, a once very good restaurant now seemingly lost its way. The bread was tasteless and might as well have been from Co Op. The once fantastic Muntjac lollipops are now bland and without anything that would really recommend them. The mains came out cold and the meat wasn’t too rare, it was just poorly cooked. We’ve enjoyed a few great meals here in the past but this wasn’t one of them. I’m not sure I’ll be in a hurry to return

Fabulous from start to finish. Warm welcome in a very inviting restaurant. Can see the chef creating his magic behind the BBQ / grill . Great service with delicious choices from the menu and specials board. If you are in Stratford upon Avon definitely give the woodsman a go ... You won't be disappointed

We loved everything about this place. On arrival the staff were warm and welcoming. We took out dog with us and immediately they provided a bowl of water for her. We were seated promptly. The food was exquisite and so well presented. My daughter is vegan and they went above and beyond to accommodate her. The food they brought out for her looked amazing too. Well thought out. It’s a very classy restaurant without the stuffiness that you sometimes get in quality places like this. It’s totally chilled and comfortable. Lovely atmosphere. We 100% recommend this restaurant and will definitely be returning. We travelled down from Derbyshire and were not disappointed. Make sure you book as this place is very popular and worth a visit.

Excellent Sunday lunch. Between us we tried different roasts, including roast celeriac. All very good and easily adapted for gluten free. Great service and friendly staff. Tables were well spaced but the only negative for me was that it was quite noisy and sometimes a bit difficult to hear across the table.

Spontaneous dinner on a one night trip to Stratford … could not have been better! Delicious deer, great wine pairing recommendation. And the pistachio desert was out of this world. Both me and my 4 yo son felt very welcome. We will be back

The best lamb I have ever had. Great service in the ideal location. Would reccomend to everyone.

The reason for this review nearly two months after we visited is because I have tried to contact the restaurant directly on a number of occasions and got told someone would get back to me. I’m still waiting. We booked a table of 4 for a birthday meal. The whole thing from start to finish was such bad “hospitality”. Really not worth the hype. - drinks service very poor - wine selection very poor - top wine ran out - manager said they were not allowed to order wine from the suppliers - took ages to take orders - food average - steaks in the dry ager not available??? - took ages to get the bill - no after dinner service like a smile or thanks for coming I notice that The Woodsman are very quick to replying to reviews on here. And they ask you to email their enquires team (which I have done) so if I was you I wouldn’t bother!

The Woodsman's food was even better than the hype. Service was excellent and the food was truly delicious. I had the pork belly and my partner had the fallow deer - both were exquisite! Staff were a bit harried but it was a busy Friday night.

At this price range it needs to be spot on... it wasn't. I get the concept and the social media brings the people to the tables, but perhaps too busy? Service was (at times) good, the wait between courses was way too long and when the food arrived it was disappointing as it was barely warm

Superb meal from start to finish. All of the dishes were fantastic. Foie gras parfait to start and the deer for main which was cooked perfectly. Great choice of wines and finished with a goats cheese which was excellent. We were looked after by Danny who was excellent and really personable. Will come back.

A friend and I booked to go here last night. (Saturday 23rd March). From start to finish it was outstanding. Danny was our host and he’s such a great guy, made our dining experience even better. The food was SO good! Flavourful, delicious, very well presented. 10/10 is every way.

I used Tripadvisor and a few other resources to book here . We were not disappointed, the meal and service was superb from start to finish . We decided to have the taster menu with drinks , all the 6 courses were exquisite, the beetroot was amazing as was the asparagus course , the cod was sublime , cooked to perfection with an amazing jus , I even asked for more bread to soak up the sauce , couldn’t waste it . The lamb was perfection , pink and succulent and the accompanying Shepherds Pie stunning . The 2 desserts were also amazing , the lemon meringue tart was light and airy , and full of flavour . My wife can’t have dark chocolate , so they swapped the 2nd dessert for a white chocolate and pistachio dish , absolutely stunning . The restaurant manager / Sommelier, even produced a drink for us , which was perfect with this dessert , I don’t usually like cocktails, but this was amazing . It’s fine dining at its best , I’ve eaten at Michelin starred restaurants that weren’t as good . Will definitely return when next in Stratford

We were a little early for our tank so sat in the bar area which was a nice warming area. We were called into the restaurant area and taken to our table. We were given home made bread and butter (which was delicious) while our starters were prepared. We were served by Danny B. Our starters came out fairly quickly. All fresh and well cooked. For mains we had the Sunday roast special, lamb shoulder which was a £5 supplement per person which seemed a good deal when we saw the size of it (we took what was left home and got another meal for 4 from it). It came with all the trimmings including a really nice cauliflower cheese. The yorkshire puddings were really decent as well. We had a bottle of wine recommended by Danny B and during our meal he was very friendly and funny. He gave us his recommendations on the desserts base on what other people had ordered as he hadn’t tried all of them yet (hope he got his cheesecake he wanted). There was a discretionary 12.5% service charge on the bill which was fine but Danny looked after us so we also tipped him personally as his service was very good. Would definitely recommend to others and have already. If we are in the area again would love to come and try the a la carte menu.

First time absolutely brilliant Food was amazing The Roast Beef was unbelievable vegetables were awesome The two lads worked together and were so professional and nothing was ever too much 5 stars aren’t enough Our head of reception realised she had made a mistake in our seated location and moved us to where we should have without any hassles The whole experience of today from the bar staff to the head of service it was a experience I would encourage anyone to take up We most definitely will be returning hopefully the road works would have been completed

Excellent food and service. Great atmosphere. Good menu with interesting specials. Very good value. Great location.

Absolutely fabulous meal. Great menu selection. Ambience and Staff were second to none. Massive thank you to Danny who made our meal memorable for all the right reasons. Starters: Mixed sharing platter for 2 Mains: Roast Pork and Sharing leg of lamb Deserts: Pistachio & White Chocolate Mousse & 70% Chocolate Mousse. Definitely recommended for all who want a great setting, great service and great food. We will definitely be back in the near future. Never fails to impress.

We had our wedding reception here two years ago, so we love coming back! This time we had Valentine's afternoon tea and it was absolutely fantastic! My photos do not do the food justice, but I was half running around after our feral daughter at the time! Everything was perfect, thank you again!

Absolutely superb Sunday lunch. Can’t fault any of it… the lamb shoulder was perfect.

We tried the Woodsman following its excellent reputation and it didn't disappoint. The sustainability and wood fired concept is unique and the dishes were creative, beautifully presented and flavoursome. Of particular mention was the wood fired cod and the rhubarb and custard tart, both were outstanding and of Michelin star quality

We tried the Woodsman following its excellent reputation and it didn’t disappoint. The sustainability and wood fired concept is unique and the dishes were creative, beautifully presented and flavoursome. Of particular mention was the wood fired cod and the rhubarb and custard tart, both were outstanding and of Michelin star quality

I chose this restaurant for a family birthday lunch after reading the reviews. The food did not disappoint in any way. It really was a fabulous lunch. The negative point was the service; it was a bit haphazard and slapdash, not what I expected from a restaurant like this. We did eventually get a waitress that was efficient. I knew when the waiter was taking my son's drink order that he would not get it. We asked 3 different members of table staff until it appeared but long after we had all got ours. Having said that maybe that was a one off and where the food is concerned I would not hesitate to go back.

I eat out a lot and have eaten all over the world so know what’s good what’s bad etc. Food was great, some of this food was the best I’ve eaten (scotch egg mmmm) but the problem is the service, felt lost in the corner drinking champagne with my other half that I had to carry to the table, we was asked if we would like any drinks, requested a bottle of water. After waiting 45 mins to put our food order in I asked if they could do Roast trio, with waitress number2 where our waitress read me the meats I could have with a bad attitude almost rolling her eyes…very rude, I then asked if we could maybe get some bread and olives (as it doesn’t say anywhere this is given) with a very sarcastic tone she told me “yeah, we’ll bring them to your table” waitress number3 turners up and says she’s going to clear the table for the food and puts dirty glasses to the back of the table, starter was delicious, after numerous attempts of eyeball waitress number 1 water turns up. Plates cleared up by waiter number 4, glasses still remain. Mains turn up missing our side and Yorkies, waiting for her to come back but never did, no ask if any sources needed etc just drop and go. Went on like this all night. I got up to pay at the bar as got fed up of waiting for the bill with out drinks etc and had the most awkward scene from Waitress, Number2 where she was creeping around us, then after a few minutes told us we couldn’t pay at this till like we was stupid this is where I told her of our experience and told her to remove any service charge, she weirdly read me what I had and mumbled a lot of stuff at me to where at a guess the manger come and just stud there….a lot of eyes, shoulders and hands at each out without a word said sooo weird again terrible service from the manager (waitress number 1) th Yes

I had a fantastic 30th birthday meal here with my partner. We shared the slow roast lamb shoulder and it was immaculate — tasted incredible and slid off the bone. The ambience was great, too, we loved looking into the oven and watching the chefs work. Our waiter Michael was really welcoming and friendly. He even brought a complimentary little dessert out with the bill as he’d overheard me saying it was my birthday! Though it was a small gesture it made my day even more special. Thank you!

At The Woodsman, I indulged in their pave and shoulder of Bathurst Estate fallow deer, accompanied by their recommended side of dirty mash (mashed potatoes with crispy venison and gravy) and a glass of Valpolicella Ripasso ‘Pojega’ red wine. I was also offered a serving of their bread with their homemade herb butter, which was a delightful start to the meal. The deer was then presented in two forms: a perfectly cooked medium rare steak and a slow-cooked portion wrapped alongside it, served with parsnip, praline, and quince. Both preparations of the deer were absolutely delectable, showcasing the care and precision put into the cooking. While the vegetables were enjoyable, they were overshadowed by the melt-in-your-mouth deer, as expected. Despite being a bit pricey, I would highly recommend this meal to any visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon. The dirty mash, infused with venison and gravy, was also a delightful accompaniment, and the waiter's wine recommendation paired perfectly with the meal. Overall, it was a remarkable food experience, and I would gladly return for another meal if I find myself in the area again.

Disappointed. This was a special occasion meal out which was very important. I’m sorry to say that The service was terrible, the staff seemed overwhelmed and unable to provide even basic service. The food was really disappointing, the starter was tasty but the main was awful. Inedible in parts. No one came and asked us how our meal was. We had to ask them to clear the plates and bring the bill. Really not worth the money. We left without complaining as it was really late and we just wanted to leave without making a scene.

Excellent dinner at The Woodsman, the food, service and atmosphere was great and we would definitely dine there again. We've taken one star off of service as our waitress, although helpful and efficient, wasn't terribly welcoming.

Love this place as a treat out. Every meal I've had here as been fantastic, even though it isn't the easiest menu to pick from if you're a bit fussy like me. Most recently had the Sunday roast - the only place I've ever had a decent roast potato out, plus generous portions. Fantastic cocktails, too. Highly recommend for a special occasion.

Very disappointing. We had the roast beef Sunday dinner. Plates came to the table cold. Food arrived only just luke warm. We tried to eat it, but just too cold. When we politely told the waitress the food was cold, she reluctantly asked if we wanted it warmed up. She took plates away to re -warm the food, however failed to return the veg that we hadn't put on our plates. Service was very very poor. We are local to this restaurant, other restaurants in our town care more about there customers, food quality and service.

We booked this as staying at the attached hotel but we're not disappointed. Starters were excellent trout for me and pate for OH. We chose a sharing platter of slow cooked roe deer, which was falling of the bone tender with delicious coating. It was accompanied by smoky aubergine and their special dirty mash both of which I could have just eaten a big bowl of. The charred hispi cabbage was dressed with a mustard vinaigrette rather than the Caesar dressing (my husband hates cheese) and was still really tasty. We were both to full for dessert ! We had a bottle of local wine and a delicious smoked apple old-fashioned.

Super! The staff and kitchen really went out of their way for us, truly above and beyond. The food was fab, fresh and beautifully presented and we very much enjoyed the stylish cocktails and wines. We'll definitely come back, maybe for Sunday lunch or a dinner service - the food coming off the fire grill looked delicious!

We had a truly excellent meal here for a birthday treat. Gorgeous inviting atmosphere and the staff seemed friendly. Wine selection was good. The duck was the pick of the starters, especially the croquette. I had the pate which wasn't really a pate but more of a slice of gala style pie but delicious nonetheless. The mains were where the meal really shone for me; I had the cod and mussels which came with a gorgeous sauce and beautifully cooked celeriac. My partner had the beef, shortrib and sirloin, both cooked to perfection and the accoutrement were again fantastic. The sides were great too: I'd definitely recommend the dirty mash but the hispi cabbage we had as well was delicious. We shared a pudding, a pistachio and white chocolate mouse with a blood orange sorbet that I'm still thinking about! I think the only criticism I'd have of the evening was that the service was pretty slow. I think they probably needed one extra wait staff on service because our waiter just seemed stretched a little thin. The spacing between the courses was also pretty uneven, our starters came at a fairly normal time but then we waited quite a long time for our mains. It's the sort of thing that generally I'd overlook, except you are paying quite a lot for this meal. Regardless, I would wholeheartedly recommend a special occasion dinner here.

This is an amazing place to go for dinner, the food was perfect. we were seated 30 mins late but after that the service was fantastic. Its not the cheapest but for a special night out this is well worth going to.

We were staying at the indigo hotel for a strategy retreat, and went to Woodsman for our final dinner. I am so glad we did! The experience felt nice, we were well looked after by the staff. The mains were amazing, and the dessert was spectacular. I feel it’s worth coming back to Stratford just to dine here, even if I live 1h30’ away.

Visited for the first time to celebrate my birthday with my son and husband. Lovely venue, staff and surroundings most accommodating. The service was exceptional, just the right timing between courses. The food Devine, very exciting menu. Even the rest rooms beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean.,My only criticism would be the plates food served on were almost cold which meant the heat of the food inconsistent, would have been a five star but for that. Well worth a visit though.

Loved this restaurant. The food was outstanding. We had the special of slow cooked shoulder of venison as a shared dish. The nicest venison I have had for a long time and really melt in the mouth tender. Took the leftovers home and it was just as good the next day. Service was excellent and a good wine list. Can highly recommend

It was our wedding anniversary and we haven’t been to The Woodsman for some time. It was really good. The starter and main were great. The Chateau Mussar was excellent. We ordered a side of hispi and the dirty mash and - because I’m a carb freak and greedy - we asked for another side of a portion of the hand cut chips. If you were having a steak (which we weren’t) they are served alongside it. I was quite taken a back when we were told that the kitchen wouldn’t let us have any! I’m not sure why this would be. Surely it wouldn’t have been too much trouble? It took the shine off a little for us (I know it’s not a big issue but I was really in the mood for some!) The service was ok - but not with as much finesse as you would expect for such an upmarket/expensive restaurant. The bill was £181 (pre-dinner drinks included in that) I had asked for a ‘special’ table in the main dining room and we were given one by wood ovens and the chefs which was nice. At the end of the meal they presented us with a tasting dessert to share and happy anniversary written in chocolate. A really lovely touch

This restaurant is located within the Indigo Hotel and is a superb setting for a first class meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful and full of Tudor character with wood beams etc. The food is excellent. Both my wife and I had the same food and it was delicious. The main course was the 'special' which was a shoulder of venison served with various accompaniments, including the famous dirty mash. Frankly we didn't have room for a desert but they all sounded excellent on the menu. There was a slight issue with the service. Some staff were very smiley, helpful and friendly....some could be described as efficient but not really the friendliest. However, this did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the evening. This is not a cheap night (two pre dinner drinks in the bar were over £25...) but overall this restaurant is value for money given the 5 star quality of the food and location.

We were in The Woodsman for a family celebration, 14 seated, on 17 Dec 2023. The starters were fair enough, if a little unimaginative. The meat dinners turned up generously portioned - veg, roast potatoes, Yorkshire's etc - with two thick slices of meat each. Everyone of those had a plateful of food. Then the vegan options arrived - three artichoke hearts, with almonds and a dressing. It was very tasty, but took a few minutes to consume - it was the size of the starter course, with no carbs, and no identifiable source of protein beyond the light almond dressing. The vegan dessert course was again disappointing in size. Mango sorbet with a chocolate dessert - both portions had been formed with a small spoon, and again tasty but inadequate size. I feel this restaurant needs to look again at the options they offer. We were on a fixed price menu, so the inadequate vegan options cost the same as the generous meat dinner portions. Although their cooking time, prep time, cost of ingredients etc would be far below that of the meat dinner. Please address the carbs and protein issue in your vegan options. Vegans need a balanced diet the same as everybody else. Then, we went to the bar adjoining the restaurant - 9pm on the weekend before Christmas- to be told the bar was closed for the evening and they wouldn't open it even though half of us were guests in their hotel. The environment, furnishings, staff etc were all you would hope for, but this restaurant is currently not able to cater for any diet that is not carnivore. Avoid if you are a veggie or vegan, unless you crave small expensive portions and walking away still hungry.....

2 couples . We had the tasting menu with wine pairing. Let’s be honest, it’s not a cheap night out, but the food, the room, the presentation , the accompanying wines and the service were all pretty much flawless. Overall it was just outstanding. I...

Everything started great, with the warm greeting by the manager lady and a lovely table for two. Ambience is great, the building certainly has some character. Wine list is well made, some of the wines you cannot find in retail easily, good choice. The starter was nice, mackerel well made with some creative touch. Mains were good also, not amusing but well worth it. The major let down was the table service - gloomy overworked staff, self-service for wine bottle(we had to pour it ourselves or to ask to do it), generally it felt very superficial and not welcoming. By far the worst we had in winter.

All 3 courses were thoroughly enjoyed with each one achieving a very high standard. An especial thanks go to Phil and the restaurant team for their impeccable service. W'ell be back!

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at The Woodsman. The menu was eclectic, but all seasonal and locally sourced produce and where local not possible (ie fish) the provenance was given in the menu. From start to finish we had a great experience. The staff were...

Wonderful food, building and ambience. I recommend the venison and the dirty mash in particular. We often stop at the hotel and we’re looking forward to eating at the restaurant again already.

I'm going to say it.... This might possibly be the best meal I have ever eaten in a restaurant. So good I couldn't stop thinking about it and it pains me that this place is 2 hours away from home 😭 The setting, service and whole experience was 💯 The order: Raviolo of wild rabbit & berkswell cheese The Sunday lunch special - slow cooked deer shoulder wrapped in maple glazed bacon. Plus all the trimmings which were wood fired 🤤 2 courses were £35pp + £5pp for the deer shoulder special (so worth it) 📅 Visited in November 2023

Great restaurant with open kitchen & fire. Lovely atmosphere with great service. Dan welcomed us and had great knowledge of menu suggesting different cocktails and the special board. Thus made our dining experience exceptional. We opted for this on the recommendation which was presented attractively...

This was our second time at the Woodsman restaurant. The quality of the food was exceptional and the service we received was very good. Everybody in our party spoke very highly of the whole experience. Thank you to all the staff for an excellent evening.

We really enjoyed the meal. Well cooked, well presented and ethically sourced. Service was good and staff helpful.

The Woodsman continues to deliver high quality dining above and beyond anything else in Stratford or the environs. We went for Friday lunch as a celebration and the restaurant was pretty quiet (unlike in the evenings when it can be very busy) so we had...

The best restaurant in Stratford. We have been here couple of times and it’s always been a five star experience. The food and the atmosphere is exceptional!

We went on the recommendation of some friends and were very glad we did. We sat in the bar area sipping a G&T and a glass of champers while perusing the menu. On selecting our meals, we were called to the table when the starters...

Dined here once while staying in The Indigo. Good service; good food and nice cosy feel. Food not exceptional but certainly very nice. Menu fairly limited, but accommodated most tastes. Wine reasonably priced. We paid £134 for 2 people for 2 courses with 1 bottle...

The service was fantastic and the chefs are amazing. My wife liked something on the menu, but didn’t want the accompaniments. We talked to them and they completely changed the dish to suit her requirements. Everything we ate and drank was delicious and the service was superb. And the dessert tasted like New Years Eve!

We booked in for lunch with our one year old, the staff were very attentive the food was first class and they accommodated the little one really well. The smell of the open fire and the low lit rustic atmosphere is what really sets the place off. Highly recommend!!

Where to start, the staff were amazing, the venue was stunning and the food was out of this world. We used the library as a reception room, moving onto the feasting room for food and retiring to the sung to relax and enjoy the rest...

An excellent restaurant that made a perfect venue for our intimate wedding! Where to start, the staff were amazing, the venue was stunning and the food was out of this world. We used the library as a reception room, moving onto the feasting room for food and retiring to the sung to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with our guests. The food was amazing, in true feasting quantities and had a great variety served in a family style of help yourselves from the delectable selections, catering to the dietary requirements of our wedding party. Every dish was super tasty, with a particular stand out being the "market fish" which was Sea Bream and was commented on as a stand out item by many guests. The suite we stayed in after at the attached hotel Indigo was really nice, clean and spacious, with the hotel allowing us early access to the room for my wife to get ready in. We would like to thank all the staff who helped to make our day so special & will definitely be visiting again in the future.

The Woodsman is a great restaurant and this is our 3rd visit. Now a must for us with the theatre. The sauces are particularly good.

We we’re a group of 4 with 2 vegetarians, who were well catered for with fish and vegetable options. The star of the meat eaters show was the slow cooked beef, cooked for 36 hours. So tender and tasty. Accompanied with hand cut chips, pickled...

Went because of high reviews and Michelin recommendation. Good menu with creative twists on English classics. Starter and dessert very good, mains were good but not as good as expected. A bit overcooked/dry as well as over-priced. Service could have been more personal and was slow at the end. Enjoyed the atmosphere. Don't regret trying but wouldn't go back.

Was charge £14 for one carrot, 3 roast potatoes and a bit of cabbage! No vegetarian or gluten free options despite double checking before booking! Was overcharged by £84 as well. Disappointed beyond measure.

Make sure you book ! Booked this at the same time as we booked into the Indigo Hotel several weeks in advance. Even though I confirmed that we were attending the day before, the restaurant rang us hours before to check again, that we were...

I was lucky enough to be treated to dinner at The Woodman, and what a treat! The food is out of this world, this is the first time I had ever tried deer and it was amazing! You must try the food

this was our 10th wedding anniversary celebration and we wanted it to be special. so on the recommendation of others we gave this a try. sadly it was not a great experience for us. whilst the food was ok, it was not remarkable, and the...

We booked this restaurant for its game menu and they did not disappoint. Their website will tell you about the sourcing of their fallow deer which was perfectly cooked and beautifully tender. I ordered the partridge which was excellent. The chefs indulged me by allowing...

Absolutely incredible. Such great skill on display from the chefs, the food was amazing. Very polite and friendly service. I cannot fault it, highly recommend.

We started the meal with some home baked bread with a garlic butter and a salted butter, the bread was beautifully made and the butters not over flavoured, then we had the mackerel and the cheese millfuillle , the fish was soft and beautifully presented,...

We regularly dine at The Woodsman for lunch, Sunday lunch or dinner. Food is excellent and great choice of wines. Lovely courtyard garden for sunny days with bar food. Food is cooked over open flames so atmospheric. Shout out to server Darcey who is very...

Chose this restaurant because we were staying at the hotel but it's definitely worth a visit wherever you're staying in Stratford. Relaxed, friendly service with an excellent menu in an impressive Tudor-fronted building. We chose the shrimps and mackerel to start followed by the pork...

Visited midweek to celebrate moving house, preordered the sharing Barnsley Chop, meat was beautiful esp the neck pie, v tasty dirty mash and veg, all served with excellent red wine, super friendly staff. Many thanks for a great evening, we will return.

I had dinner here last night with my mum and it was incredible. They use locally sourced produce and create innovative dishes with explosions of tastes. The staff were so friendly and the service was excellent.

Warm and cosy restaurant set within Hotel Indigo in the town of Shakespeare. The decor and ambience of The Woodsman was attractive and inviting with soft furnishings. Our meal was presented well and the flavours were amazing. We enjoyed the sharing steak which we picked...

We booked for just the two of us, getting in was a bit of challenge as you have to go through the hotel to actually find this one but once in its beautiful. We were sat opposite the kitchen bench so we're able to watch...

The building has been beautifully restored. Booked a table for 4. Had to amend that for teenage children to come so made not one attempt to phone The Woodsman Restaurant but 5 calls. Each time no answer. Landline as per website goes straight onto an...

I can not fault this high quality restaurant. The food is expertly cooked and you can see the care taken by the chefs as they prepare in their open kitchen. The flavours were fantastic. They even surprised me with a birthday treat..a specially prepared dessert....

Came for our second wedding anniversary for Sunday lunch. The food was delicious. I did ask the servers and chefs if they had any other gravy options other than red wine gravy and they said no. Perhaps alternatives would be a good option, I also...